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Nick Bradley

@nick_climbs

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Banana Slap Sit v14 FA

A year ago I went up to Banana Slap just to mix it up, try something below my limit, and try to get out of the head fog that comes with projecting. Ironically, after doing the stand, I walked away with another project.

The sit adds 5 hard moves that feel manageable in isolation but add on each other, leading up to the one-move v10 stand start. The feet are technical, the holds can be finicky and precise, and the moves are powerful.

Some holds crumbled last year, one this year, sometimes making it harder and other times easier, but it’s quite settled now and the rock is pretty good, especially for St. Vrain.

There’s also potential for a lower start that would certainly bump it a grade, for whoever is interested.

Very psyched on my hardest addition yet, and hope y’all get on it! Message me if you need help finding it. by @nick_climbs

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9 months ago

Railway v15
FA: @aidan.roberts98

Some things I’ve learned from this:
1. Once it feels like I’m forcing something to happen, I really should take a break from it.
2. I power down significantly after only a couple hard moves, and need to work on it.
3. Getting into a “falling headspace” is real and absolutely a result of repeated failure.
4. Use a heater if I keep numbing out (duh). I figured numb is better than sweaty. Apparently not true.

Also…. I needed this.

It’s been a while since I’ve done something I consider near my limit. Two years ago I landed the job I had gone through six years of school for, and I hated it. Long story short - I liked learning theory but didn’t enjoy the practice, and the work environment was abusive. That put me in a dark place, and my climbing, of course, suffered. Eventually I quit, went back to school for something different, and moved into a role that I actually enjoy. Still, I’ve worried about how hard it would be to juggle a career along with climbing. So, yeah. I needed this. by @nick_climbs

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2 years ago

The Game v15

As long as I’ve been climbing, I’ve felt the need to prove myself, to myself. Somehow, that eventually developed into some serious imposter syndrome.

In my mind, The Game was and always will be the hardest boulder in the world. The boulder to prove yourself on. In reality, that sentiment is no longer widely held. The Game is now far from the hardest in the world, but that hasn’t changed how I feel about it. It’s not the grade, it’s the climb itself and its reputation.

Despite subconsciously making climbing The Game my life goal, I never thought I would actually do it, or even get the chance to try for that matter. Even after moving to Colorado, it still took me a couple years to build the confidence to even try it. My first session was just for fun; I just wanted to climb on what was the most influential boulder to me. Some 40+ sessions later, I’m living the moment that I’ve spent so much time thinking about.

I thought maybe I’d cry, or maybe I’d yell real loud like most people do when they send their project. Instead, I just felt an overwhelming amount of relief, like I’ve been holding my breath and could finally breathe. It wasn’t what I had imagined, but now that I think of what it meant to me, it makes a lot more sense. I’m just relieved that I can finally let myself believe that I’ve “made it.”

I think I’m finally in a healthy headspace with climbing, and I’m excited for what’s next.

📸 @agrphoto taken in Boulder, Colorado by @nick_climbs

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5 years ago

Been trying to get the pup used to going out climbing, so took him to something new and roadside. Showed up, and the 90° heat and sun was just blasting the whole boulder. I took my time warming up, Odin chewed on some sticks, and when the sun finally went behind the mountain, I gave it a go.

Looking forward to colder weather and more days out with the pup 🐶

Matterhorn v11 by @nick_climbs

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a month ago

Ode to the Modern Man v14

…

Thing pissed me off, fr. Impossible boulder to project. My sausage fingers split LITERALLY after 2 tries every time I tried this. Definitely became one of those boulders you just want to be done with.

Game changer for me was stopping the stubbornness and searching for new beta. I’d been close and could do all the moves the normal way when temps are good, but that wasn’t consistent. I’m tall, and my ego says I need to be able to climb in a small box, but that’s just not how my body works. I found a low, terrible smear that allowed me to stay more square and keep weight on my feet, making the second move much less split-inducing and temps-dependent. It does mean I had to cut feet on terrible holds, but it ended up being a good compromise.

Papa @ethan_pringle says there’s always better beta (for you). He’s right. by @nick_climbs

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5 months ago

On the Books v14

After work, first go of the day/night, numb, flash pumped, forgot my beta… got it done 🤷‍♂️. I don’t think I’ll be coming back to the cave for a while. by @nick_climbs

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9 months ago

Mind Matters v12

Park tickets getting swooped up too fast for these hands so I had to grovel my way up some greasy glassy grips in Guanella instead. by @nick_climbs

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a year ago

Freshly Squeezed v12 (repeat)

Did this thing 5 years ago but didn’t get the video and ever since I’ve wanted to go back. It was 90° in Estes so trying to repeat something felt like a decent opportunity to be productive. by @nick_climbs

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a year ago

Dicktopia v14 (video)
Little Richard v13

Desperate, but got it done. I’ve been feeling a little off this week, probably from stress, so it felt really good to still be able to perform relatively well.

I’ve avoided this cave because the original grades being so far off from reality has made it into somewhat of a meme. However, once I actually got there I had a great time. The rock is really good and I liked the movement.

As for the grades… as of now consensus on the left is 14 and the right is 13. The right at 13 feels accurate but I’m not entirely convinced the left exit bumps it a whole grade - could be a slasher at 13/14. Either way, if you can ignore the grade conversation it’s definitely worth checking out. by @nick_climbs

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a year ago

Vlog update

Winter “mini” proj ❌
V17 in one sesh ❌
Actually training again ⁉️
Mortgage ⁉️

I have an endless todo list of boulders I “almost” did, boulders I’ve been “close” on for years, and boulders that I want to try but have been too caught up falling on the former. This summer I just wanna train hard and top out some reasonable boulders. This last weekend was a decent start.

Ain’t No Heaven for a Thug v12
Little Richard Stand v12 by @nick_climbs

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a year ago

Cowboy Chocolate v11

A really nice one from Unaweep. by @nick_climbs

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2 years ago

Feeling Sweeter, Getting Weirder v11

As a Certified Scared Boy™️ it felt good to push through the fear on this one. I’ll do it every once in a while but seems like it never gets easier 🤷‍♂️

This one was probably my favorite after a long day of sampling Unaweep classics in the sun. by @nick_climbs

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2 years ago